Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin. Poor fat absorption in the intestines can contribute to this deficiency and some specific health conditions that cause fat malabsorption include pancreatic disease, gallbladder disease and celiac disease.
The major function and role of Vitamin K is to aid blood clotting by helping with the process of healing and slowing down and stopping of bleeding from a wound.
Vitamin K also has a vital role in bone metabolism and helping the body absorb calcium which can help prevent and treat the loss of bone density.
Vitamin K also helps with heart disease and heart failure by preventing the hardening of arteries.
Best food sources of Vitamin K: - cabbage
- parsley
- cauliflower
- eggs
- kale
- lettuce
- spinach
- carrots
- broccoli
Deficiency is very rare as it is easy to get enough Vitamin K from a well balanced diet. Deficiency occurs when the intestinal tract is unable to absorb enough of this vitamin.
It is also most likely to occur in newborns as they are born with very little Vitamin K and the gut does not have neough bacteria to produce it. Vitamin K injections can now prevent a fatal blood disorder (Haemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn) in infants.
Vitamin K may also help people with the following conditions:
- cancer
- easy bruising
- heart attack
- heavy menstrual flow
- rheumatoid arthritis
- kidney stones
- osteoporosis
Vitamin K also acts as an antioxidant by inactivating free radicals that would otherwise damage our cell membranes.
See also Vitamin A
Posts
